Joystick operator for pushbutton switch

ABSTRACT

A mechanism for actuating selected ones of a plurality of plungers comprising a plurality of levers each of which is rotatable in engagement with at least one corresponding plunger to actuate the plunger and a common operating member to selectively rotate said levers.

nited States Pateni [191 Robinson [451 Feb. 13 1973 '41 JOYSTICKOPERATOR FOR [56] References Cited PUSHBUTTON SWITCH 1 UNITED STATESPATENTS [75] Inventor: Douglas Burton Robinson, Sharnbrook, England3,053,326 9/1962 Derschmidt ..74/471 ux 3,323,607 6/l967 Futamata..74/47l XY X [73] Assignee: Cutler-Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee,

Primary Examiner-Milton Kaufm an [22] Filed: April 5, 1971 Attorney-HughR. Rather [21] Appl. No.: 130,954 7 i ABSTRACT [30] Foreigfi ApplicationPriority Dam A mechanism for a ct uating selected ones of a plurality ofplungers comprising a plurality of levers each of May 4, 1970 GreatBritain ..2l ,239/70 is rotatable in engagement at least onecorresponding plunger to actuate the plunger and a com- [52] US. Cl..74/47l XY, ZOO/6 A mo" operating member to selectively ro-tae said [51Int, Ci. ..G05g 9/04 levers. g [58]. Field ofSearchQ ..74/47l XY, 471;200/6 A 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 13 I973 NVE'NTOR DouglasBurton loEmsan W ATTORNEY PATENTEDFEB 13 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 DouglbsBurton i9 eryToR Emsvn Wye- ATTORNE JOYSTICK OPERATOR FOR PUSIIBUTTONSWITCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pat. No. 958805.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a mechanism forsimultaneously actuating selected ones of a plurality of plungerscomprising a plurality of levers each of which is rotatable inengagement with at least one corresponding plunger to actuate saidplunger an operating member, and linkage means displaceable by saidoperating member to rotate selected ones of said levers whereby toactuate respective ones of said plungers.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved plunger actuatingmechanism capable of operating a plurality of plungers one or more at atime under the control of a common operating member.

A preferred form of the invention provides a socalled joystick manualactuating mechanism for a plurality of associated plunger-actuatedelectric switches. In one form of the invention, the actuating mechanismis particularly adapted to operate plunger switches of the kinddescribed in the specification of our British Pat. No. 833435.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of-example,with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF Tl-lE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anelectric switch including a plunger-actuating mechanism in accordancewith the invention, and

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, part in section of the switch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The switch shown in the drawingscomprises a' 50 ferent positions to produce respective displacements or'combinations of displacements of said linking members and levers, so asto actuate respective plungers or combinations of plungers.

The operating member is preferably displaceable between five differentpositions for example to actuate respectively no plungers at all, andfour different plun- I gers or combinations of plungers.

Referring now to the drawings in more detail, the switch comprises twocontact blocks S and T, disposed side by side, with respective pairs ofplungers Sa, Sb and Ta, Tb, projecting from their lower faces (as seenin FIG. 2) which faces lie in a common plane. The plungers can bedepressed in directions parallel to an axis X, the axis beingperpendicular to the plane mentioned above, in order to operaterespective contact pairs disposed in the contact blocks. The plungerscomprise generally cone shaped heads, and shafts (not shown) whichproject through the contact block, so that if desired further contactblocks (not shown) may be stacked on the contact blocks shown, to beactuated by the shafts of the contact blocks shown.

The plunger actuating mechanism comprises a joystick having a shaft1b,,and a handle 1c, the shaft having a part-spherical enlargement lawhich is mounted in a bearing 1, so that the handle 10 can be moved fromthe neutral position shown, with the shaft 1b parallel to the axis X, inany'of the directions marked N,S,E, and W in FIG. 1, which directionsare generally perpendicular to the axis X, or in any intermediatedirection. An indexing mechanism (described below) ensures that thehandle has nine stable positions, corresponding to the neutral position,to displacement of the handle 1c in each of the directions N,S,E and W,and to displacement of the handle 10 in each of the four directionsbisecting the directions N,S,E and W. In FIG. 1 the reference N,S,E andW also indicate the plungers which are actuated by movement of thehandle in each of the directions N,S,E and W respectively. If the handleis moved in an intermediate direction, two of the plungers are actuatedsimultaneously.

. The switch also comprises a linkage mechanism contained in covers 2and 3 which form a housing for the linkage, the linkage connecting theball-end 1d on-the joystick to the plungers Sa, Sb, Ta and Tb. Thebearing 1 is centered on the axis which passes through the center of thecontact block S, and the cover 2 has an aperture 2a centered on the axisX, the ball-end 1 b projecting through the aperture 20. The cover 2 alsohas an internal pivot pin projecting along an axis Y parallel to theaxis X, and passing through the center of the contact block T. I p

The linkage also comprises a bush 3a which fits over the ball-end 1d,and is mounted on a plate 3 at one end of the plate. The other end ofthe plate 3 has a slot 3b which fits over the pivot pin 2b. Accordingly,the bush 3a follows the movement of the ball-end lb, but its axis ismaintained parallel to the axis X, and its movement is guided by theslot 3b.

On the plate 3 is disposed a plate 4, whose side edges engage flanges onthe cover 2, so that the plate 4 is restrained from movement in thedirections E and W, but can slide rectilinearly in the directions N andS. The plate 4'has an elongate aperture 4a whose length extends parallelto the directions E and W, and the width of the slot 4a is such as toaccommodate the bush 3a, over which the slot fits, so as to transmitmovement of the bush in the directions N and S to the plate 4, but notmovement in the directions E and W. The plate 4 also has a slot 4b whichfits over the pivot pin 2b, to locate the opposite end of the plate 4,and a projection 40 and a notch M which cooperates with subsequent partsof the mechanism.

A plate is disposed on the plate 4, and is pivoted about the pivoted pin2b by an aperture 50. A pin 5b projects from the underside (as seen inFIG. 2) of the plate 5, and engages in the notch 4d so that movement ofthe plate 4 rotates the plate 5 about the pivot pin 2b. The plate 5 isalso formed with a finger 5d, so that with the ,pin 5b and the finger5d, the plate 5 acts as a bell crank. The end of the finger 5d isarranged to move generally parallel to, but in the opposite sense to,the plate 4. indentations arecut in the side of the plate 5 to form partof an indexing mechanism (described below).

A plate 8 is disposed on the plate 5, and is pivoted about the pivot pin2b by an aperture 8b which fits on the pivot pin. The plate 8 also hasan elongate slot 8a whose length extends parallel to the directions N,S, and whose width accommodated to the bush 30, so that movement of thebush parallel to the directions E and W is transmitted to the plate 8 torotate the plate about the pivot pin 2b, while movement of the bushparallel to the directions N, S, is not transmitted to the plate 8. Theplate also has apertures 8d which cooperate with the later parts of themechanism, andindentations 8c cut into its end to form part of theindexing mechanism (described below).

A partition plate 11 is disposed above (as seen in FIG. 2) theplates 3,4, 5, and 8, and is fixed to the cover 2 to maintain the parts of themechanism described above in operating relationship. The plate 11 hasopenings through which the projection 40, the finger 5d and the slots 8dcan be engaged by subsequent parts of the mechanism. The plate 11 has aslot 110 serves to locate a projection 12a on a bridging piece 12, thebridging piece 12 being located also in the cover 13, so as to extendparallel to the directions E, W. A notch l3c in the cover 13, and anotch 120 in the bridging piece 12, cooperate with the plate 11 to formpivot points for two bell crank levers l4 and 15, so that the levers canpicot about an axis parallel to the directions N,S. The levers l4 andhave projections 14a and 15a respectively, which project through theplate 11, and engage in the apertures 8d. The apertures are arranged sothat the plate 8 engages the projection 14a to rotate the lever 14 inresponse to movement of the handle 1c in the direction W (correspondingto movement of ball-end 1d in the direction E), but does not engage theprojection 15a. Similarly, movement of the handle 1c in the oppositedirection E, causes the plate 8to engage the projection 15a to rotatethe lever l5, and to disengage the projection 14a. The lever 14 has afinger 14b which engages the plunger Sb, and lever 15 has a finger 15bwhich engages the plunger Sa. Accordingly, rotation of the lever 14 in aclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 2 depresses the plunger Sb, whilerotation of the lever 15 in an anti-clockwise direction as shown in FIG.2 depresses the plunger Sa.

4c and the finger 5d. The lever 16 has a finger 16b, and

the lever 17 a finger 17b, which engage the plungers Tb and Tarespectively. Movement of the handle 10 in the direction N causes thefinger 5d engaging the projection 16a to rotate the lever 17 in ananti-clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2, and depress the plunger Tb;movement of the handle 10 in the direction S causes the projection 40 torotate the lever 17 and depress the plunger Ta.

In the absence of an indexing mechanism, the return springs in thecontact blocks S and T would tend to return the joystick to its neutralposition as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 when released. Accordingly, it isusually preferred to provide an indexing mechanism, which compriseslevers 6 and 9 in this embodiment.

The lever 6 is pivoted on a shouldered pin 7 engaging between anaperture 2c in the cover 2 and an aperture 1 la in the plate 11, thelever 6 having a roller 6a which engages the indentations 50 on theplate 5. A compression spring 6b (FIG. 1) is located between a pin 6c onthe lever 6 and a lug 2e on the cover 2, and biases the roller 6a intoengagement with the notches 5c, so that the plate 5 is maintained in anyone of the three positions against the bias of the return springs in thecontact block T. Similarly, a lever 9 pivoted on a shouldered pin 10mounted between apertures 2d and 11b has a roller 9a biased intoengagement with the indentations Be on the plate 8 by a compressionspring 9b. Accordingly, the plate 8 is maintained in any one of threestable positions against the bias of the return springs in the contactblock S. Since the plates 4 and 8 between them govern the position ofthe ball end 1b on the joystick, it will be seen that the movement ofthe handle 1c is correspondingly indexed.

If desired a small fill-in piece (not shown) may be attached in any ofthe indentations 50 or 8c by a screw, so that the indentation is blockedout, disabling the indexing action at the corresponding position of thehandle 10.

The movement of the handle 1 could be restricted by a gate (not shown).The gate can be simple cross, having arms parallel to the directionsN,S,E and W in which case the plungers Sa, Sb, Ta and Tb will beoperated. singly. Alternatively, the cross could have arms bisecting thedirections N,S,E and W in which case the plungers Sa, Sb, Ta and Tb willbe operated two at a time. Alternatively the gate may have an H- shapedaperture, in which case movement of the handle 1c corresponding tomovement of the ball end 1d to one end of the H will actuate first onecontact alone, then that contact, together with another one. Othersuitable gate shapes will occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A mechanism for simultaneously actuating selected ones of a pluralityof plungers comprising, in combination, a plurality of levers comprisingfirst and second pairs of first and second levers each of which isrotatable for engagement with at least one corresponding plunger toactuate such plunger, an operating member, and a plurality of linkagemembers operable by movement of said operating member between aplurality of different positions to rotate a selected one of said leversof said first pair of levers and one of said levers of said second pairof levers.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said plurality of linkagemembers comprises first and second linkage members, said first linkagemember being disposed for rectilinear displacement in first and secondopposite directions to rotate the respective first and second levers ofsaid first pair.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 wherein said second linkage memberis mounted for pivotal displacement in first and second oppositedirections to rotate the respective first and second levers of saidsecond pair.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and secondlevers of said second pair each comprise first and second arms, saidrespective first arms being adapted for engagement by saidsecond linkagemember to rotate said respective first and second levers of said secondpair and said second arms being engageable with corresponding plungerswhereby to actuate the plungers.

5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of linkagemembers comprises a third linkage member being a bell-crank, pivot meansfor said bellcrank and means connecting said bell-crank to said firstlinkage member to pivot said bell-crank about said pivot means inresponse to said rectilinear displacement of said first linkage member,and said first and second levers of said first pair each comprise firstand second arms, said first arms being adapted for engagement by saidfirst linkage member and said bell-crank respectively whereby to rotatesaid respective first and second levers of said first pair and saidsecond arms being engageable with corresponding plungers whereby toactuate the plungers.

6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 comprising operating member pivotmeans wherein said operating member comprises an elongate joystickconnected to said operating member pivot means between its ends, a bushmovable with one end of said joystick, first and second elongate slotsformed" in said first and second linkage members respectively, the majorones of said slots being disposed substantially at right angles in aplane substantially perpendicular to the major axis of said joystick,said bush being slidably engaged with said slots whereby pivotalmovement of said joystick about an axis parallel with the major axis ofsaid first slot produces said rectilinear displacement of said firstlinkage member and pivotal movement of said joystick about an axisparallel with the major axis of said second slot produces said pivotaldisplacement of said second linkage member.

7. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2 comprising index means to indexsaid respective displacements and combinations of displacements of saidlinkage members wherein said first and second linkage members areprovided with respective notches or pluralities of notches and saidindex means comprises first and second bias springs and first and secondindex members biased by the respective said bias springs into engagementwith said first and second linkage members respectively so as to engagewith said respective notches or pluralities of notches.

8. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 comprising operating member pivotmeans wherein said operating member comprises an elongate joystickconnected to said operating member pivot means between its ends, one endof said joystick being adapted to engage said linkage members so thatpivotal movement of said joystick about said operating member pivotmeans between said plurality of different positions produces saidrespective displacements or combinations of displacements of saidlinkage members.

1. A mechanism for simultaneously actuating selected ones of a pluralityof plungers comprising, in combination, a plurality of levers comprisingfirst and second pairs of first and second levers each of which isrotatable for engagement with at least one corresponding plunger toactuate such plunger, an operating member, and a plurality of linkagemembers operable by movement of said operating member between aplurality of different positions to rotate a selected one of said leversof said first pair of levers and one of said levers of said second pairof levers.
 1. A mechanism for simultaneously actuating selected ones ofa plurality of plungers comprising, in combination, a plurality oflevers comprising first and second pairs of first and second levers eachof which is rotatable for engagement with at least one correspondingplunger to actuate such plunger, an operating member, and a plurality oflinkage members operable by movement of said operating member between aplurality of different positions to rotate a selected one of said leversof said first pair of levers and one of said levers of said second pairof levers.
 2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pluralityof linkage members comprises first and second linkage members, saidfirst linkage member being disposed for rectilinear displacement infirst and second opposite directions to rotate the respective first andsecond levers of said first pair.
 3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 2wherein said second linkage member is mounted for pivotal displacementin first and second opposite directions to rotate the respective firstand second levers of said second pair.
 4. A mechanism as claimed inclaim 3 wherein said first and second levers of said second pair eachcomprise first and second arms, said respective first arms being adaptedfor engagement by said second linkage member to rotate said respectivefirst and second levers of said second pair and said second arms beingengageable with corresponding plungers whereby to actuate the plungers.5. A mechanism as claimed in claim 4 wherein said plurality of linkagemembers comprises a third linkage member being a bell-crank, pivot meansfor said bell-crank and means connecting said bell-crank to said firstlinkage member to pivot said bell-crank about said pivot means inresponse to said rectilinear displacement of said first linkage member,and said first and second levers of said first pair each comprise firstand second arms, said first arms being adapted for engagement by saidfirst linkage member and said bell-crank respectively whereby to rotatesaid respective first and second levers of said first pair and saidsecond arms being engageable with corresponding plungers whereby toactuate the plungers.
 6. A mechanism as claimed in claim 5 comprisingoperating member pivot means wherein said operating member comprises anelongate joystick connected to said operating member pivot means betweenits ends, a bush movable with one end of saId joystick, first and secondelongate slots formed in said first and second linkage membersrespectively, the major ones of said slots being disposed substantiallyat right angles in a plane substantially perpendicular to the major axisof said joystick, said bush being slidably engaged with said slotswhereby pivotal movement of said joystick about an axis parallel withthe major axis of said first slot produces said rectilinear displacementof said first linkage member and pivotal movement of said joystick aboutan axis parallel with the major axis of said second slot produces saidpivotal displacement of said second linkage member.
 7. A mechanism asclaimed in claim 2 comprising index means to index said respectivedisplacements and combinations of displacements of said linkage memberswherein said first and second linkage members are provided withrespective notches or pluralities of notches and said index meanscomprises first and second bias springs and first and second indexmembers biased by the respective said bias springs into engagement withsaid first and second linkage members respectively so as to engage withsaid respective notches or pluralities of notches.